I've been using a DW9000 for a couple months now, and so far the heel plate is the only issue I've found that bothers me. So much so that I even took it off and put it back together with different screws and without the heel plate.
That didn't work out so well, so it's back like stock now.
I think if the heel plate were about half as thick, it would be an almost perfect pedal for me.
I'm not sure I'm ready to take the grinder to it yet though - LOL.